When Church websites first appeared, they were places for Churches to convey information to their people. They were a connecting point with videos, lesson material, and links to various things.

Now, most people who visit Church websites are guests who want to look in the front window of the Church to see what is going on inside. It is now estimated that people will watch at least one sermon and as many as three before they visit.

This means a couple of essential things for the Church if the trend keeps going this way. First, websites need to be geared toward people who have never been in the doors of your Church building. The information is for people who might plan to visit the Church gatherings for worship. Second, the people who visit the Church have already decided they like the sermons and everything they have seen so far. What they want to check out is the people.

It is this interesting paradox. The more effective that a digital ministry becomes, the more significant it is for the congregation to be genuinely welcoming on Sunday morning. A high-quality website leads to a greater need for a friendly environment at worship.

The guests who join us this Sunday often already have a good feeling about the Church. Now, they are coming to see if their in-person experience also creates good vibes. As a pastor, I have little control over that, and I need all of you to show everyone who attends what the people who follow Jesus are really like.